Yasir Qadhi Lectures

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi shares his comments and thoughts on the terrorist attack on two masaajid in Christchurch, New Zealand. This talk was delivered at Rhodes College, a vigil for the victims of the New Zealand massacre.

In the middle of Surah Ibrahim, Allah(SWT) tells us about an amazing incident that will occur on the Day of Judgment. This is an incident that some of our early scholars gave an interesting title to, found in the early books of Tafseer, called ‘The Khutbah of Shaytaan’.

Patience is always key to whatever we are doing. If we do not have patience, we won’t be able to get far in life. Always remember that Allah will never test you with something that you can’t handle. Allah is always just in all that he does!

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi gives an academic explanation of what is allowed and not allowed when it comes to holidays and festivals that are not from Islam and the way of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Sh. Yasir Qadhi reminds us about our mission to help shape a better future. What causes and social changes are we as Muslims supporting? Sh. Yasir cites the history of alcohol prohibition and how we would support it. What about the social ills of today?

The Seerah of our Prophet(SAW) is one of the most important sources of our religion. It is supposed to inspire, to guide, to empower us to be better Muslims. Yet for many of us, the stories of the Seerah are abstract tidbits, historical facts that might sound good, but bear little relevance to our modern lives.

This is a mistake and a shortcoming from our part. The Seerah is supposed to be a lived message where we connect the dots from the past to our lives here in the present.

In this talk, Shaykh Yasir discusses a number of incidents from the life of the Prophet(SAW) and draw parallels with specific events and circumstances of our own time so that the Seerah becomes not just tales from the past, but lessons for our contemporary lives.

Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi talks about our spiritual aim to leave a legacy by leveraging and maximizing our good deeds during our time on earth.

Dr. Qadhi gives three necessary ingredients to leave an endowment that benefits both our self and our brothers & sisters in faith and humanity:

1. a sincere intention (Ikhlas) so that righteous people see you as a role model;
2. erase pride and ego (kibr) and become a humble leader with humilty (ihsaan);
3. we must actively practice patience (sabr).

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi discusses how Islam came with social change and principles that still hold true today. How do we maintain these principles in today’s climate? How can we preserve the Prophetic call to social justice? This lecture is from IlmFest 2018 in Toronto, Canada on July 29th, 2018.

In this video, Sh. Dr. Yasir Qadhi covers the important topic of sexual harassment and crimes in our society. Some topics covered include:

1 Such crimes are indeed crimes and sins in the sight of Allah SWT.
– Any person committing such a sin must seek forgiveness from Allah and try to right a wrong with the victim (if possible)
– A person in power or authority committing such is a heavier sin
2) Parents should recognize, pay attention to signs of trouble and protect their children
– The vast majority of molestation occurs in hand of friends and relatives
3) If friends and family come to us for emotional support, this is not the time for blame, rather compassion should be shown
-legal authorities should be involved if necessary

Some lessons from the Quran & Seerah:
– Evil existed even at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
– The Prophet did not question harshly or reprimand the woman
– Mistaken identity is possible
– Yusuf (A.S) was a victim of power differential, but he passed the test
– One should repel the test as much as possible, but the coercion (forced) situation is forgiven

4) We should, as a society, reflect upon the rise of promiscuity, immorality, free-mixing, pornography, objectifying the female (or male) body and instead encourage intimacy strictly within marriage, limiting time alone with opposite gender, modest dress-code, etc, in order to uplift the principles of Islam.

5) Anytime harm is being done to others, this should be dealt with swiftly, publicly and may involve authorities. If adults are involved in private sins, they should be advised privately first.

The Seerah of our Prophet(SAW) is one of the most important sources of our religion. It is supposed to inspire, to guide, to empower us to be better Muslims. Yet for many of us, the stories of the Seerah are abstract tidbits, historical facts that might sound good, but bear little relevance to our modern lives.

This is a mistake and a shortcoming from our part. The Seerah is supposed to be a lived message where we connect the dots from the past to our lives here in the present.

In this talk, Shaykh Yasir discusses a number of incidents from the life of the Prophet(SAW) and draw parallels with specific events and circumstances of our own time so that the Seerah becomes not just tales from the past, but lessons for our contemporary lives.

Sh. Yasir Qadhi connects stories from the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) with the “butterfly effect” on how we can change ourselves for the better.

A sign of Allah’s love for someone, is that He puts them through trials & tribulations in this world. What is the wisdom behind these trials and how should a Believer respond when he goes through difficulty and hardship? Shaykh Yasir Qadhi dedicates his Khutbah to a short tafseer of Surah ash-Sharh at one of the first Masjid ever build in North America! Recorded 16th November 2012 in Edmonton, Canada

Our youth do not have high expectations and settle for mediocrity. Shaykh Yasir Qadhi explains why this should not be and we should set our sights high. We should aim for the best and strive for excellence.

Ramadan is the only month of the Islamic calender that is mentioned by name in the Qur’an. The month of Ramadhan (is that) in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights (the new moon of) the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and (wants) for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that (to) which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi advises us to be aware while participating for social reform and social justice we should not forget about our Islamic values and morals. He reminds us that we should link our spirituality and our deen to providing solutions to modern social issues such as the #metoo movement. Morality is changing with each generation and if we do not speak up then what may be prohibited for us will be acceptable and what is acceptable today might be prohibited tomorrow.

A difficult look at reality: Why are some of us abandoning our Muslim identity, what is the root cause and what are the trends of those leaving Islam? Recorded at the 51st Annual MSA National Continental Conference in Detroit, MI on Friday, August 29, 2014.

Allah(SWT) mentions in the Qur’an, “There are those people who worship Allah with a condition. If life is good, he’s happy and will happy with Allah. But if life is not good and a Fitnah happens, then he switches his faith in Allah, he ends up losing this world and the next” The wisdom of trying to understand the problems of this world is something that every faith/tradition has struggled with. It is one of the fundamental problems of theology.

The question of trying to understanding why there is pain, why is there suffering? Why is there bloodshed? Why is there evil in this world? This is a question that was asked of Allah even before he created us. When Allah(SWT) announced his creation of man in Surah Al-Baqarah, the angels asked: “Why would you do that” Even the angels asked the same question. Remember this is a question that was asked to better comprehend Allah’s wisdom, not to challenge Allah’s authority.

Shaykh Dr. Yasir: Should Western Muslims who have political access to Jerusalem visit Masjid al-Aqsa? This is a very emotionally charged issue that has legal, social, ethical and political ramifications. Some scholars have given fatwas that prohibit Muslims from visiting al-Aqsa, and while I fully understand and respect that opinion, I very firmly agree with the other group of scholars who allow visiting Masjid al-Aqsa. In fact, I view it as fard kifaayah and a part of our collective obligation to that Holy Land.

In this talk, I summarize the main arguments that some scholars use to prohibit visiting al-Aqsa, and respond to them one by one.

Will you be remembered after your death due to a legacy you left behind? Will it be a positive or negative one?

Prophet Ibrahim(A.S) made Du’a and asked Allah: “Oh Allah, make my legacy a positive and truthful one for the later generations” The desire to become a role model or to leave a positive legacy in your own life found in the Qur’an. At the end of Surah Al Furqan, Allah asks us to make a Du’a.

Verse 74: “Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.”

Ibn Al-Qayyim comments on this verse and he said: “There is a difference between legacy for fame, lust for power, and between legacy for Allah(SWT)” He then said that there are two ‘Niyahs’(Intention) one can have, positive or negative. Therefore we should ponder on this topic and think to ourselves, What will I be remembered for? What will be my legacy after I pass away?

One thing that every Muslim needs to understand is that we are living in very dire situations and circumstances. We are living in a time and place where, unless we take action, the next stages can keep getting worse and worse as time goes by.

During those tough situations, especially when fighting for a Muslim being treated unfairly, one might say there is no financial backup in order to support them. In fact, we are allowed to use Zakat money in order to help fight for their justice, as we are helping the community. Yes, we do give Zakat to the people who are hungry, but there are eight categories in total for which we are allowed to give money for.

Now when donating, we don’t just give $5, instead, we give a good amount of our Zakat money. Why? Because that one case that the lawyers are defending for, it can have an impact across the country. One case can secure the right for six million Muslims. Imagine how that one case can clear the path for our children in the future. Therefore we should always be open-minded whenever a certain situation arises.

Justice is not only foundational to Islam, but also in the religion of Christianity & Judaism. This panel above focused on the reasons why it is foundational to all three faiths. This discussion was led by Rabbi Micah Greenstein, Reverend Dr. Stephen R. Montgomery of Idlewild Presbyterian Church & Shaykh Dr Yasir Qadhi, from The Memphis Islamic Center. The panel also provided the audience with a better understanding of the similarities between the faiths, and their shared emphasis on Justice.

As part of Islamic Awareness Week, the MSA at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) held its Friday khutbah in a public place as a means of dawah, and invited Sh. Yasir Qadhi to deliver the sermon. Join Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi as he talks about some of the problems that Muslims face in modern times and the role of a Muslim in a Non-Muslim society.

In this Jumu’ah Khutbah, Shaykh Dr Yasir Qadhi explains the importance of family ties in Islam, including how this Ayah can be interpreted in 2 ways by our scholars.

In the First Verse of Surah An-Nisa, Allah(SWT) says:

“O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.”

Have Taqwa in Allah, in whose name you ask people to give you things, It could mean that you ask for help from within the family, and it is also a reminder where family takes care of each other.

Be conscious of the rights of Allah, and be conscious of the rights of the family.

Both of these interpretations are valid in the Qur’an and what they imply is that the family has a high privilege, second to Allah(SWT). The reality is that the rights of the family, comes after the rights of Allah, and from within the family, the parents have the most rights.

Are we aware of what’s happening? As we speak amongst a Muslim Minority, called The Rohingya, in the land of Burma/Myanmar? Where our own brothers and sisters have been suffering for a while now.

In this Khutbah, Shaykh Dr Yasir Qadhi provides some background knowledge as we need to know who they are and what’s going on, as we cannot help unless we understand their situation.He leaves us with some advice on how we can help those suffering.

Who are The Rohingya?
The Rohingya, they are one of the smallest ethnicities, who are predominantly Muslims. They are a descendants of a civilization that used to have a Kingdom over 500 years ago. Some of them converted to Islam while the majority didn’t. Those who converted are called The Rohingya.

One of the saddest days ​in the life of our Prophet (peace be upon him) was the day his beloved one-and-a-half year old son Ibrahim passed away.

On that very day something miraculous happened in the skies, the sun eclipsed and rumour spread around that the sun has eclipsed at the death of the Prophet’s son!

What better proof to give to a group of nomad Bedouin pagan Arabs who worshipped the sun and the moon, that their false god has been eclipsed at the death of the Prophet’s son, but our Prophet (peace be upon him) was not one who believed in superstition and nor is our religion one that teaches bizarre mythologies to prove its authenticity.

When the solar eclipse occurred our Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life of someone, but they are two signs amongst the Signs of Allah. So, if you see them, offer the Prayer (of eclipse in praise of Allah)”. ~ [Sahih al-Bukhari]

The sun and the moon are magnificent creations of Allah and their eclipsing is a majestic celestial event that are Signs of Allah’s Might and Power!

Join Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi in this sermon he gave at last night’s lunar eclipse where he explains the Islamic perspective of solar and lunar eclipses and the Qusoof & Khusoof prayers when eclipses occur.

It is reported in the Sahih of Imam Muslim that one day our Prophet Muhammad(S) was once sitting on one of the houses of Medinah. He looked around and said to the Sahabas: “Do you see what I’m seeing” They said “What oh Messenger of Allah” The Prophet answered: I see trials and tribulations falling upon your houses like the drops of rain. The frequency , the quantity will affect everybody”

In another Hadith, our Prophet(S) said that towards end of time, trials would become repetitive by nature. Every time a trial/calamity would come, the believers would become scared and terrified. They will say that we cannot pass this trial. The Prophet(S) said Allah will open up the doors and let it go away. Then another will come, they will say “ This is my destruction” and so on and so forth.

Nowadays when we look at how many incidents are taking place, how many issues that are rising day by day. We can see the difference of the how the world was before and what it has become now!

On the eve after Trump’s win, Nov 10th 2016, Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi gave a frank talk about his thoughts on Trump’s election, why it happened, what our reaction should be, and what lessons we can learn from it.

Calamities & tragedies are part of life and it is through these trials and calamities that the true strength of a believer is shown when he turns to his Lord in humility and submissiveness leaving his affairs in the Hands of Allah and putting complete trust that Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) will take care of him.

Yet lately it seems that one calamity has not left the Muslim Ummah and another one strikes even harder and in this chaos many are those whose Iman is shaken and they ask the question “Why do bad things happen? Why can’t life just be good!!”
Join Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi in this latest Khutbah entitled ‘Why Is there Evil in This World?’ and discover the wisdom behind calamities and tragedies.

In the second-half of this Khutbah Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi shares his reflections on the San Bernardino killings and advises the Muslim community to stay safe and uphold their best Muslim character in society.

In this Khutbah (sermon), Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi discusses the recent trials facing the Muslims at the eve of Anti-Muslim rhetoric in the American Election run-up and the backlash after the recent Paris bombings. Dr. Qadhi provides two practical ways Muslims can face and overcome such trials and challenges in America (and globally).

The rise of ISIS took almost all political analysts by surprise. For many, it quite literally appeared as if this group came out of nowhere. While the vast majority of Muslims are appalled at the brutality and viciousness of some of their tactics, the question does arise as to how such a fringe group could draw together thousands of people to support them. In this bold and frank talk, which was addressed primarily to a non-Muslim audience, Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi mentions some of the root causes that explains why this group is popular in some Muslim circles. The complete break down of the Iraqi civil infrastructure and economic stability, after decades of American sanctions and two illegal invasions, cannot be ignored as we try to understand the appeal of such militant groups.

In this powerful and emotional talk, delivered in front of the largest annual gathering of Muslims in North America, Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi shares his thoughts on the current state of Islamophobia in America, and the dismal situation in Muslim lands and how we should work together to speak out against oppression and injustice.

“My Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects all of which except one will go to the Fire, and they (i.e. the Saved Sect) are those who are upon what I and My Companions are upon” ~ Prophet Muhammad (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)

One of the most oft-commented tradition of our Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that is echoed from the mimbars of every Masjid & the focus point of many conversations of our over-zealous youth. Yet many questions arise. Are the majority of the Ummah misguided?! And is every ‘deviation’ automatically bound to the Fire of Hell? And which group is the Saved Sect?

The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Among Allah’s servants are people who are neither Prophets nor martyrs, but whom the Prophets and martyrs will deem fortunate because of their high status with Allah.”

They asked: “O Messenger of Allah inform us of who they are.”

He said: “They are people who loved each other for Allah’s sake, without being related to one another or being tied to one another by the exchange of wealth. By Allah, their faces will be luminous and they will be upon light. They will feel no fear when the people will be feeling fear and they will feel no grief when the people will be grieving.” ~ (Sunan Abu Dawud)

Allah will ask on the Day of Judgement: ‘Where are those who loved each other for the sake of My glory? Today, (on a day when there is no shade but mine) I shall shade them with My shade.” ~ (Sahih Muslim)

The Islam brotherhood transcends cast, colour, race & nationality it is a permanent bond based on belief & acceptance of Allah as our deity & Prophet Muhammad (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as His final Messenger.

Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi’s powerful talk from his trip to Trinidad on ‘Unity in the Muslim Ummah & the Islamic Brotherhood’

With the rise of “Islamophobia” in the past ten years, we have also seen a drastic rise in converts to Islam. Our distress has brought da‘wah to our doorsteps. In this lecture Shaykh Yasir Qadhi teaches us how to rise from the shadows and preserve our dignity through the truth of Islam.

Sunni, Shīʿa, Salafi, Sufi, Deobandi, Ahl’l-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā’ah – Why do we have all these labels can’t we just say we’re Muslims and that’s it! To often our communities become divided on differences in thoughts and ideas, acknowledging & welcoming the various levels of religious beliefs is an important first step towards building diverse communities & bridging the gap to put all titles aside.

Laylat al-Qadr – Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi explains the timing and meaning of the most blessed night of the year.

Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. ~ [Surat Al-Qadr]

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi’s powerful emaan lifting intellectual talk on the topic reconciling between reason and revelation & the role of Intellect in Islam based on the writings of ibn Taymiyyah – from Muslimska Familjedagarna (Muslim Family Days) in Stolkholm Sweden.

Allah mentions in the Qur’an that alms are for the poor and needy. What would the world look like today if almost two billion Muslims, especially the wealthiest members of our community took the institution of Zakat seriously. In this insightful lecture, Dr. Qadhi examines the wisdom of Zakat, its moral and theological foundations and its implications for 21st Century economic relations.

How is the Quran the greatest Miracle of Islam? Public lecture delivered by Yasir Qadhi titled ‘The Miracle of the Quran’ at the International Islamic Peace Conference 2009 held at Somaiya Ground Mumbai, India 2009, as shown on Peace TV.

Invite To The Way Of Paradise. A speech delievered by Yasir Qadhi on January 11th, 2008 at the 10-day Peace: Vision of Islam Convention in Chennai (Madras), India. The speech is followed by a Q&A session.